HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – The holidays are great to spend with loved ones, but the season can also be very dangerous.
Firefighters from several local departments gathered Friday to highlight holiday safety tips, including Hillsborough Fire Rescue, Tampa Fire Rescue, Temple Terrace and St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.
Firefighters say although the safety tips may seem obvious, they get increased calls every holiday season.
Falls from ladders, fires and burns are some of the most common holiday calls.
Firefighters showed the potential danger of deep-frying turkeys, which can often end with serious burns.
Here are some tips:
- Place fryer in open area, out of garages and a safe distance away from trees, overhangs and other structures.
- Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.
- Watch the weather. Never operate a fryer outdoors in the rain or snow.
- Place the fryer on a level surface, and avoid moving it once it’s in use.
- Leave 2 feet between the tank and the burner when using a propane-powered fryer.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid overfilling. Oil can ignite when it makes contact with the burner.
- Choose a smaller turkey for frying. A bird that’s 8 to 10 pounds is best
- Never leave fryers unattended.
- Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner on.
- Wear goggles to shield your eyes, use oven mitts and long sleeves to protect your hands and arms and keep a fire extinguisher close by. Do not to use water or a garden hose.
- Keep children and pets away from the fryer at all times.
- Once finished, carefully remove the pot from the burner, place it on a level surface and cover to let the oil cool overnight before disposing of it.
Firefighters also showed the proper way to operate a fire extinguisher.
To help prevent tree fires, make sure the tree is fresh, put water in its stand every day, and place the tree at least three feet away from any heat source. Make sure the tree does not block an exit, and turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
For more tips click here: https://www.nfpa.org/education
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